The Potty Plotters Plotcast - Growing on the Allotment
Listen here to learn about seasonal hints and tips for your allotment or garden from us at Ashbourne Road and District Allotments Derby. We can be a tad outrageous, rude and even a bit naughty, but growing your own flowers, fruit and vegetables from seed should be fun and definitely memorable! We will teach you all you want (and need to know) coming directly from off the plot including chitting and as well as chatting to other unsuspecting folk from around site and beyond. The Plotcast is an Amberland Media production.
Episodes
Wednesday Mar 19, 2025
Wednesday Mar 19, 2025
Join Julia and Elaine for another engaging episode of the Potty Plotters Plotcast! In this lively instalment, they dive into the world of gardening with a focus on the quirky and creative ways to grow your own produce.
The episode kicks off with an amusing discussion about Julia's posh phone voice and leads into a heartfelt message from listener Fiona, who is eager to learn about starting her beetroot seeds indoors. Elaine shares her tried-and-true methods for seed starting, emphasizing the importance of protecting young plants from pesky wildlife.
The duo also celebrates Rachel's inventive use of underwire from her bras as a gardening tool, showcasing the clever and humorous side of allotment life. They tackle listener questions, including the challenges of gardening regulations, and share their experiences with growing chilies and dahlias, all while keeping the banter light and entertaining.
As the episode progresses, they introduce a fascinating segment on toads, featuring special guests Dean and Michaela, who shed light on the importance of these creatures in controlling pests on the allotment. Listeners will learn about toad patrols and how to create a welcoming environment for these beneficial amphibians.
With practical gardening tips, personal anecdotes, and plenty of laughs, this episode is a delightful mix of education and entertainment. Don't forget to visit jparkers.co.uk for all your gardening needs and use the code PLOTCAST15 for a special discount!
Follow us @pottyplotters on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter.
Get in touch: naughtycorner@pottyplotters.uk
A podcast for help with your allotment or gardening.
Wednesday Mar 05, 2025
Wednesday Mar 05, 2025
Join Elaine and Julia for another entertaining episode of the Potty Plotters Plotcast! In this lively installment, they shares their amusing confessions about recording in the great outdoors, with the sounds of nature providing an unexpected backdrop.
As they dive into listener questions, they discuss innovative ways to grow carrots in potato bags and tackle the curious discovery of a bath on one listener's allotment. With laughter and camaraderie, they explore the possibilities of repurposing the bath for gardening or even cooling drinks during summer.
The conversation takes a humorous turn as they discuss the importance of greenhouses and structures on allotments, with Elaine passionately advocating for their necessity. They share personal anecdotes about their own experiences with greenhouses and the challenges of growing vegetables without proper storage.
Listeners will also hear about Elaine's successful experiment with dahlias stored in cat litter, which leads to a lively comparison of growing techniques. The episode is filled with practical tips, light-hearted banter, and plenty of laughs.
Don't forget to check out www.jparkers.co.uk for all your gardening needs and use the code PLOTCAST15 for a special discount!
Follow us @pottyplotters on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter.
Get in touch: naughtycorner@pottyplotters.uk
A podcast for help with your allotment or gardening.
Wednesday Feb 19, 2025
Wednesday Feb 19, 2025
Join Julia and Elaine for another delightful episode of the Potty Plotters Plotcast as they dive into the joys and challenges of allotment gardening in season three, episode two! This week, the duo welcomes back some of their favourite starter plotters who share their experiences and lessons learned from their first year on the allotment.
Listen in as Liz, Tom, and Kevin discuss the camaraderie of communal gardening, the reality of managing expectations, and the joy of sharing bountiful harvests with fellow allotmenteers. They reflect on the surprises and challenges they faced, from slug control to realizing the true amount of produce one can grow.
With a dash of humour, Julia and Elaine also tackle the topic of broad beans—how to grow them and even how to convert non-believers into fans! Plus, they explore the beauty of ranunculus flowers, sharing tips on how to successfully cultivate them for stunning cut flowers.
As always, the episode is sprinkled with practical advice, light-hearted banter, and a few laughs along the way. Don't forget to visit Jay Parkers for your gardening needs and use the code PLOTCAST15 for a special discount!
Follow us @pottyplotters on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter.
Get in touch: naughtycorner@pottyplotters.uk
A podcast for help with your allotment or gardening.
Wednesday Feb 05, 2025
Wednesday Feb 05, 2025
Join Elaine, Julia, and producer Gareth as they kick off season three of the Potty Plotters Plotcast with a lively and humorous episode! In this first instalment, the trio navigates the quirks of recording in a cosy community room instead of their usual allotment, sharing witty banter about the unexpected joys of bowling greens and the enticing drink prices.
As they dive into gardening updates, Elaine reveals her triumphs and tribulations with loofah drying, while Julia shares her experiences with seed ordering.
The conversation flows seamlessly into their exciting new partnership with jparkers.co.uk, where listeners can enjoy a special discount on gardening supplies.
The episode also features a special segment with local weatherman Rob Rose, who brings a mix of weather insights and light-hearted jokes, discussing the recent storms and their implications for gardeners.
With practical advice on chitting potatoes and starting shallots, Elaine and Julia ensure that listeners are well-prepared for the upcoming growing season.
The episode wraps up with a sneak peek into future topics, including container gardening and the introduction of "brilliant bits"—a new segment filled with gardening tips and tricks.
Follow us @pottyplotters on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter
Get in touch: naughtycorner@pottyplotters.uk
A podcast for help with your allotment or gardening.
Wednesday Jan 29, 2025
Wednesday Jan 29, 2025
The Potty Plotter Plotcast is back!
To whet your whistle ahead of season 3 Elaine and Julia welcome you back.
Episode 1 is available from Wednesday 5th February.
If you enjoy the Plotcast and would like to leave us a support us to keep going - head to https://ko-fi.com/thepottyplotters
Follow us @pottyplotters on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter
Get in touch: naughtycorner@pottyplotters.uk
A podcast for help with your allotment or gardening.
Wednesday Nov 06, 2024
Wednesday Nov 06, 2024
Join Elaine and Julia in the final episode of season two of the Potty Plotters Plotcast! As they wrap up the year with episode 40, the duo reflects on the ups and downs of the gardening season. With a touch of humour, they discuss their attempts at drying loofahs and the mishaps that ensued. If you’ve had better luck with your green loofahs, they’d love to hear your tips!
As the winter months approach, the plotters share practical advice on pruning apple and pear trees, and the importance of timing and technique to ensure a fruitful harvest next year. Julia offers insights into the best practices for clearing plots, emphasizing the need to tackle those pesky perennial weeds before they take over.
Elaine and Julia also discuss the benefits of using cat litter to dry dahlia tubers, a quirky yet effective method to prepare for the next growing season. As they prepare to take a break until February, they encourage listeners to stay engaged by reaching out with questions and updates on their own gardening adventures.
Follow us @pottyplotters on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter
Get in touch: naughtycorner@pottyplotters.uk
A podcast for help with your allotment or gardening.
Wednesday Oct 30, 2024
Wednesday Oct 30, 2024
Join Elaine and Julia for a whimsical yet insightful episode of the Potty Plotters Plotcast. As the autumn leaves paint the allotment in vibrant hues, the duo reflect on the beauty of the season's changes. From the striking red foliage of blueberry bushes to the fern-like asparagus beds, the plotters are captivated by nature's poetry.
The episode takes a culinary turn as Julia shares her laminated recipe cards, revealing her method for creating a delicious spiced pumpkin cake. Gareth contributes with a versatile egg fried rice recipe, perfect for using up allotment-grown vegetables. Lisa from Nottingham sends in her roasted tomato and pasta dish, showcasing the bounty of the harvest season.
Elaine offers a masterclass in making raspberry jam, emphasising the simplicity of using just raspberries and granulated sugar. The plotters also discuss the importance of replenishing soil nutrients after heavy rains, with tips on using farmyard manure and chicken pellets to enrich the garden for the next growing season.
In a quirky twist, Elaine experiments with drying dahlia tubers using cat litter, while Julia contemplates the fate of her frost-affected loofah plants.
Follow us @pottyplotters on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter
Get in touch: naughtycorner@pottyplotters.uk
A podcast for help with your allotment or gardening.
Wednesday Oct 23, 2024
Wednesday Oct 23, 2024
Julia and Elaine are back with another delightful episode of the Potty Plotters Plotcast. In this episode, they embark on a nostalgic journey through old gardening books, discovering that despite the years, the core principles of gardening remain unchanged. They chat about the enduring wisdom found in these books and marvel at the simplicity of past gardening tips.
The episode takes a humorous turn as they discuss the unexpected results of saving seeds from last year's pumpkins, leading to a quirky variety of squashes in Elaine's greenhouse. The conversation highlights the importance of buying seeds from recognised suppliers to ensure consistency in your harvest.
Weather takes centre stage as Rob Rose, the local weather presenter, joins the plotters to discuss the unpredictable weather patterns, the impact of the jet stream, and the science behind the possibility of snow. Rob's insights into the wettest September on record and his light-hearted banter with Julia and Elaine add a cheerful touch to the episode.
Elaine shares her plans to relocate her rhubarb patch due to waterlogging, offering practical advice on how to divide and replant rhubarb crowns. Julia and Elaine emphasise the importance of giving rhubarb a year to settle before harvesting.
The episode concludes with a discussion on the differences between pumpkins and squashes, and tips on how to store squashes for the winter. The plotters invite listeners to share their favourite recipes for the next episode, promising a focus on delicious dishes made from homegrown produce.
Follow us @pottyplotters on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter
Get in touch: naughtycorner@pottyplotters.uk
A podcast for help with your allotment or gardening.
Wednesday Oct 16, 2024
Wednesday Oct 16, 2024
Elaine and Julia are back with another lively episode of the Potty Plotters Plotcast! This time, they kick off with a humorous discussion about the burning season on the allotment and the potential for a murder mystery game inspired by Cluedo, but with a plot twist. They brainstorm how the podcast could be integrated into the game, making it a unique experience for listeners.
The episode takes a turn towards practical gardening advice, as Elaine and Julia delve into the art of dealing with snapdragons and the versatile nature of borlotti beans. Julia shares her method for drying and saving seeds for next year, while Elaine discusses the importance of cutting down summer fruiting raspberries and the intricacies of managing raspberry canes for future harvests.
As always, listener questions are addressed, including a quirky suggestion from Tracy about using odd socks to protect corn cobs from pests. The episode also explores the peculiar fruit known as medlars, with Elaine and Julia considering the potential of making medlar jelly from the overlooked fruit.
Gareth joins the conversation with an update on his garlic planting progress, sparking a discussion about the care and maintenance of garlic over the winter months. The episode wraps up with a preview of what's to come in the next instalment, including discussions on splitting rhubarb crowns and dealing with squashes and pumpkins.
If you enjoy the Plotcast and would like to support us to keep going, head to https://ko-fi.com/thepottyplotters
Follow us @pottyplotters on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter
Get in touch: naughtycorner@pottyplotters.uk
A podcast for help with your allotment or gardening.
Wednesday Oct 09, 2024
Wednesday Oct 09, 2024
Elaine and Julia are back with another lively episode of the Potty Plotters Plotcast. In this episode, they welcome new neighbours Glynis and Trevor to plot number 32 and discuss the noisy yet charming atmosphere of their allotment.
The trio dives into the practicalities of using IBCs (Intermediate Bulk Containers) for water storage on the plot, offering tips on how to keep the water clean and algae-free.
The conversation then shifts to the weather, with Gareth attempting to fill in for the absent weatherman Rob Rose.
Elaine and Julia guide Gareth through the process of creating a "lasagne" pot, layering bulbs like alliums, tulips, and muscari for a beautiful spring display. They also offer practical advice on protecting bulbs from pests using tights and chicken wire.
The episode wraps up with tips on caring for dahlias after a frost, including how to cut them down and store them for winter. They also discuss the benefits of sprout tops and how to manage Brussels sprouts for a bountiful harvest.
If you enjoy the Plotcast and would like to support us to keep going, head to https://ko-fi.com/thepottyplotters
Follow us @pottyplotters on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter
Get in touch: naughtycorner@pottyplotters.uk
A podcast for help with your allotment or gardening.